Fasting just before Ramadan

Fasting just before the start of Ramadan

It is reported from the prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) that fasting in the second half of Shabane is prohibited except in two cases well defined by case law: 1. The one of a person who used to fast during this period like the one who fast on Monday and Thursday. He can keep his good habits and fast the last 15 days of Shabane. 2. The other case is the one who decided to fast all month.

Many hadiths support this view. Al Boukhari and Mouslim reported from Abu Hurayra (radiallahu 'anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu' alayhi wa sallam) said, " Do not fast a day or two just before the start of Ramadan. But if any of you are used to it, you can keep it . "

Abou Dawoud, At-Tirmidhi and ibn Madia (radiallahu 'anhum) reported according to Abu Hurayra (radiallahu' anhu) that the prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: " Stop fasting in mid-Shabane. " [declared authentic by Al Albani in Sahihi at-Tirmidhi] An-Nawawi (rahimahullah) said:" The word of the prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam): " Do not fast a day or two (just) before the start of Ramadan. But if any of you are used to it, you can maintain it. "is a clear ban on anticipating Ramadan by fasting a day or two with someone who is not used to fasting just before the start of Ramadan and has not fasted all the month of Chaabane.

The day of doubt, also called the night of doubt (laylatu sh-shakk), is the evening when the lunar crescent is not seen. It is called day of doubt because it can be the 30th day of the month of Shabane as it can be the 1st day of Ramadan. It is not allowed to fast this day for those who are not used to this practice.

An-Nawawi (rahimahullah) said on this subject: "If we fast optionally as part of a continuous fast, a fast every other day or a fast which targets a specific day like Monday, and that this coincides with the day of doubt, there is no difference and it is then permitted to fast it ”. This is also attested in the hadith of Abu Hourayra (radiallahu 'anhu) "Do not fast a day or two before the start of Ramadan. But if one of you is used to it, you can keep it. ”

Sheikh Ibn Uthaymin (rahimahullah) said in his commentary on the hadith: "There is no divergence within the ulama on the question of whether the ban formulated in this hadith implies a prohibition or a reprobation. The correct opinion is that it is a prohibition. This is especially the case when the fasting day is the day of doubt. ”

Fasting and Ramadan Briefs

• Ramadan prayer times

Before Ramadan

• Shaban month
• Fast the last 15 days of Shaban
• Who to follow for the start of Ramadan
• New moon and Ramadan

Introduction to Ramadan

• The arrival of Ramadan
• Welcome the month of Ramadan
• Ramadan month goals

The importance of the month of Ramadan

• The month of Quran
• The last 10 nights of Ramadan